FERNIE IS FOR SLED FAMILIES

Fernie may be known for 29ft of annual snowfall, legendary alpine bowls and technical tree line snowmobiling but they also have an incredible 160km network of regularly groomed snowmobile trails and modern backcountry infrastructure that make it one of bc’s premier locations for sledding families…

Fernie, BC is an authentic historic mining town reinvigorated by the boom of young, adventure seeking families who now call this place home. Located in the southeast corner of BC, it is about 3 hours from Calgary, AB and the closest mountain riding destination to the southern prairie provinces.

In recent years, this unique Rocky Mountain community has transformed into a leading 4-season destination thanks to it’s world class skiing, mountain biking, fly fishing, hiking, art scenes, and of course… snowmobiling. Yet the coolest thing about Fernie is that amidst the popularity, it still retains it’s vibrant, rustic, small town soul.

The Fernie Snowmobile Association (FSA) has been making a name on the North American snowmobile scene with their quality grooming program, family friendly events, and welcoming infrastructure. The volunteer-driven club provides over 5000km of grooming each winter across five diverse riding areas. Craggy limestone headwalls, rolling sub-alpine meadows and an extensive network of resource roads usher experienced riders to BC’s best technical tree line and meadow riding opportunities. At it’s center, the flagship Coal Creek and Morrissey Trail network link together from opposite ends into a variety of fun, frolicky, and scenic loops perfect for families and first timers.

One of Fernie’s stand out family friendly features is the caliber of their trail maintenance program. Trails are groomed wide and shaped by modern snowcats with tillers, the same equipment used to maintain ski runs. The flexibility and power of this modern grooming equipment allows the club to fine tune high traffic areas into buttery smooth riding highways. Other trails, like the Doug Dean, are shaped into rolling hills and banked corners playfully weaving through the forest. The Club even grooms a trail right to the Notch Peak for lofty views over the Flathead Valley. Whether you are a strong rider looking for smooth, quick access to off trail riding in the alpine, or a sledder who enjoys to take it slower on the trail, Fernie has it for you.

A great day for families or novice riders can be had touring the main loops, cabins and offshoot meadows within the Morrissey and Coal Creek trail network.

Start at the Coal Creek Staging area, just a few minutes from downtown Fernie. You can check current conditions, the daily grooming report, and purchase your membership or day tickets in advance online at www.ferniesnowmobile.com. The club also sells day tickets at the trailhead.

From the Coal Creek Staging Area, head up the 16km Coal Creek Trail to the Rolling Hills Cabin. Stop here for a warm up break and watch riders navigate the gladed, benchy climbs of Leach Ridge across the valley from the deck. When you’re ready, continue onto the Doug Dean Trail towards the Wranglers Cabin. This trail is incredibly fun for kids of all ages with it’s twists, turns, and rolling corners. If you are lucky, you may be able to get first tracks in some of the smaller meadows beside the trail.

Continue on the Doug Dean trail for 10km to reach a four way junction. You can ride straight and continue to a large meadow known as Minnesota Flats (cabin is tucked on the trees at the far north side of the meadow) or hang a left onto the Morrissey Trail and a quick right soon after to reach the Wranglers Cabin via a more direct trail route. Enjoy a warm up break inside or get some powder turns practice in the flats outside. This place is heaven on a sunny day!

Stronger groups of intermediate or advanced riders may want to continue up the Notch Trail to the peak at the east end of the meadow (note this areas is under pipeline construction 2022-2024 and may be closed with many unmarked hazards). But our family journey takes us back out to the main Morrissey Trail.

At the four way junction you passed by earlier, you can return back to the Rolling Hills via the Doug Dean Trail way you came or, for a fresh view, continue downhill (west) on the main trail for several kilometers until you reach the junction with the Summit Trail. Going straight, will bring you further downhill to the Morrissey Staging Area. There is a small narrower section of trail here through the scenic canyon so parents with young riders may want to keep children on the inner bank. Pass by the gate to the private cat skiing area and the Matheson Waterfall (a great spring photo opportunity).

If you do not want to go down to the Morrissey Staging Area, take the Summit Trail at the junction to wrap around the plateau back towards Coal Creek. Spend the afternoon playing here up on the east aspect in an area called ‘the Burn’. It offers easy access into an afternoon-sized playzone of rolling hills and glades dotted with more advanced features. The back headwall offers some challenging tree lines and drops for stronger riders with safe, panoramic spectating zones for the kids to watch.

When you’ve had your fill, meander back to the Summit Trail and continue to wrap your way counter clockwise around the plateau to reconnect with the Coal Creek Trail. On your way down, stop for a family photo with the valley views and setting sun behind you.

This entire loop can also be done in reverse from the Morrissey Staging Area. Check with the Fernie Snowmobile Association on current trail conditions and closures.

TO LEARN MORE OR START PLANING YOUR FERNIE ADVENTURE:

4-5 DAYS: FERNIE, CRANBROOK, INVERMERE PANORAMA, GOLDEN

The CPR Railway forged a route through the rugged Rocky Mountains bringing goods and visitors to the untamed BC wilderness. See how these historic resource extraction towns have successfully built upon their incredible logging and mining roots and now welcome visitors to some of BC’s most iconic and authentic snowmobile destinations. 

OTHER FAMILY ACTIVITIES IN FERNIE

FAMILY SAFETY TIPS

FROM THE FERNIE SNOWMOBILE ASSOCIATION

RISK:

As soon as you leave the parking lot you are entering an uncontrolled backcountry environment. Yes, we groom trails and provide warming shelters but, unlike the ski hill, we DO NOT do avalanche control or mitigate off-trail hazards. Use is at your own risk and you must be adequately educated and prepared to be out there. Backcountry sledding is different than walking on a trail in the park!

AVALANCHE HAZARD:

You may be exposed to avalanches... even while on a groomed snowmobile trail. Even small cut banks can slide under the right conditions. While cut bank or small slope slides may only bump an adult off a sled, they have the potential to burry a small child easily. Please be mindful of the current conditions and terrain above you when riding. At minimum, ALL parents should have taken an Avalanche Skills Training Level One course. Avalanche Canada is your one stop shop for information to get you started... www.avalanche.ca (bulletins, course listings, free online training, weather...). There are many providers and program across the province which specialize in age appropriate avalanche education.

EQUIPMENT:

There is no cell phone reception in any of our riding areas. Help may be far away. Ensure you are adequately prepared with equipment for your family including: a means of emergency satellite communication (inReach, Spot, Sat Phone), a basic first aid kit, extra layers of clothing, a foldable saw and fire starter, an emergency shelter such as a bivy sack, foil blankets, or small tarp, snacks, tow strap and basic tool kit. Leave a trip plan with family at home. (https://plan.adventuresmart.ca/).

SUPERVISION:

Riders under 18, by law, must be supervised by an adult at all times. No matter how much ability you feel they may have, kids just don't have the decision making skills and experience to travel on their own in the backcountry.

SAFETY SKILLS:

Do your kids know what to do if they get separated from you? To always tell an adult where they are going? To help searchers by answering calls? How to stay warm and dry? What about how to safely travel up the groomed trail with oncoming or passing traffic? What about if they come around a corner and there is a moose on the trail? BC AdventureSmart has some great online tools here: https://www.adventuresmart.ca/kids/hugatree.htm

LEGAL STUFF:

Anyone riding a sled has to have a proper helmet, riders 12 years of age or older MUST have government issue photo ID on their person (eg health services card), child MUST meet the snowmobile manufacturer's minimum age and weight requirement to ride on any snowmobile (check your manual!). More information can be found here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/.../crown.../off-road-vehicles/safety

Thanks everyone! Play safe out there.